Fence structure



V. DE CH ELLIS FENCE STRUCTURE Jan. 19, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 17, 1965 FIGI INVENTOR. VERINO DECHELLIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 19, 1965 v. DE CHELLJS FENCE STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 17, 1963 FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

VERI NO DECHELLIS BY KM, ZMM f ATTO RN EY S United States Patent ()fiice 3,166,299 Patented Jan. 19, 1965 3,166,299 FENCE STRUCTURE Verino De Chellis, 250 Hyde Park Ave., Jamaica Plain, Mass. Filed Sept. 17, 1963,.Ser. 0. 309,463 1 Claim. (Cl. 25632) This invention relates to a fence structure and more particularly to an improved chain link fence which has ornamental scrollwork aflixed to its top edge. The scrolldustrial property and on residential property. For industrial use, a chain link fence provides sturdy effective protection from theft and vandalism. It is relatively low in initial cost and is virtually maintenance-free. For

residential use, a chain link fence allows the sunlight and breeze to pass through, yet effectively confines children, pets and their possessions. Furthermore, such a fence prevents outsiders from trespassing and keeps out stray animals and the like.

However, a problem which has always plagued the chain link fence industry is the reluctance of home owners to use chain link fencing because of its harsh inhospitable appearance. Owners of homes generally wish to present a less hostile facade, although at the same time they want the protection for their children and themselves that can best be obtained by the use of a chain link fence.

To solve this consumer acceptance problem there have been afew prior efforts to find ways to enhance the appearance of chain link fencing. All have failed. This invention solves this problem by providing a fence that is quite attractive and has novel features which strengthen the fence and at the same time protect the ornamental portions. e

In brief, this invention employs vertical fence posts which are spaced apart and have chain link fencing material stretched therealong. The novel components include the provision of two horizontal railings invertical spaced relationship which are carried at the top. of the fence posts above the chain link material by means of novel rail support caps provided with rail openings at the upper and. lower extremities thereof. Ornamental scrollwork is disposed between the railings and fastened thereto. The railings. protect the scrollwork from damage and also increasethe strength of the overall fence 1 structure.

In accordance with the above, it is an object of this invention to provide a chain link fence structure which is attractive in appearance and acceptable, to home dwellers, yet which in no way sacrifices those protective features long associated with chain link fences.

It is another object of this invention to provide a chain link fence structure having a pair of spaced apart horizontal railings carrying ornamental scrollwork therebetween, said railings acting to protect the ornamentation from damage due to ordinary wear and tear and the vandalism of passers-by.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a unique rail support cap structure which can be seated on the fence post and through which the spaced horizontal railings are supportably carried.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a fence structure which has increased structural rigidity due to its use of double horizontal railings carriedin rail support caps having an I-beam cross-section.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will berequires.

come apparent from a study of the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of the fence structure incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 showing the double railing and rail support cap in detail; and

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the rail support cap with the seat portion partly broken away.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the fence structure, generally designated as 10, has a plurality of vertically extending heavy metal fence posts 12 which are securely embedded in the ground, indicated generally at 14. Posts 12 are preferably in alignment and are spaced approximately six to eightfeet apart (however, wider spacing would be equally acceptable). The posts usually have a circular cross-section, although the shape could be square, etc. Chain link fencing material 16 of linked steel construction shown in detail in FIG. 2, is stretched along the line of fence posts 12 for relatively long distances, or may alternatively be secured to approximately every third or fourth post as shown in the drawings, depending on the length of fencing material furnished by the manufacturer and the terrain conditions.

The fencing material 16 is fastened to the fence posts 12 by means of securing bars 18 and post clamps 20. At each end of the fencing material, a securing bar 18 is threaded through the edge loops. Post clamps 20 are secured to the corner fence posts 12 by fasteners 22 and optionally to every third or fourth post, if the terrain The post clamps 20 are preferably vertically spaced about eighteen inches apart. The securing bars 18 are pulled toward the post clamps 20 and affixed thereto by fasteners 25 on post clamp tip portions 23. In this fashion the fencing material 16 can be stretched between fence posts 12 and firmly held thereto. The fencing ma terial 16 is prevented from shifting downwardly by means which will be subsequently described.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the rail support cap, indicated generally at 24, has an integral seat portion 26 in the form of an inverted cup. Seat portion 26 has an internal circular seat base 28, cylindrical side walls 30 depending downwardly from the circumference of seat base 28, and a lower lip 32formed at the bottom edge of side walls 30. The cross section of the cylindrical side walls 30 is shown in the cut away portion of FIG. 3. Seat portion 26 is dimensioned to permit the rail support cap to be securely seated upon the upper end of fence post 12, and the cylindrical side walls 30 are of sufficient vertical dimension to prevent accidental disengagement of the rail support cap from the fence post.

Rail support portion 34 is formed integral with and extends upwardly from seat portion 26. Rail support portion 34 has an I-beam shaped horizontal cross-section for strength and heavy rounded top and bottom portions 35 and 36. Extending through the top portion 35 is upper rail sleeve 37 which is adapted to supportably carry a horizontal railing. Extending through bottom portion 36 is a lower rail sleeve 38 identical to upper rail sleeve 37.

A decorative sculptured ornament preferably extends above the top portion 35, as for example the flame tip 40 shown in FIG. 3. This is an optional feature, but one that enhances the attractiveness of the fence structure. Obviously, the ornament could be cast in many other shapes, such as a ball, spear, cone, etc. The entire rail support cap 24 is preferably castin one piece and is structurally designed to have maximum rigidity the straight di-stanceupito approximately 40 feet.

tip portions for holding the railing ends.

and strength"characteristics. One rail support cap 24 is seated atop each-fence post 12 after the fence posts and fencing material have been erected.

Upper and lower horizontal railings 42 and 44 pref- "era bly consist of long lengths. of metal. tubing or rod, ap-

proximately l /z-to 2 inches in diameter and 8 to 40 feet in length. .Wherever thefence. alignmentris straight,.each horizontal railing extends in an unbroken length the en- The railings are supportably carried in th'eir respective rail sleeves 36 and 38 which aredimensioned to .allow acircumferential clearance of approximately JA inch. At

the fence corners, the railings terminate and are engaged by conventionalpost clamps (not shown), similarto post clamps 20, but having cupped receiving means at their The railings 42 and 44 are vertically spaced apart about 5 to 6 inches and are in parallel vertical alignment throughout their .entire length.

To preventthe chain link fencing material 16 from slidring down the fence posts 12 or drooping away-from lower horizontal'railing 44, aplurality of thin wire strips 45 are looped around the upper links offencing material .16 and secured to lower horizontal railing 44 at spaced horizontal intervals. The wire strips 45 bind the fencing material tightly to the railing to help create a neat appearing fence structure.

Decorative scrollwork 46, shown in FIG. 1, is preferalbly formed of wrought iron. One attractive pattern shape is illustrated. Others could be substituted according to consumer preference. The scrollwork is mounted be tween the upper and lowerhorizontal railings 42, 44 by means of a plurality of fasteners 48. These fasteners preferably have a C-shape with a tab 54) that is welded or bolted to the scrollwork 46. The scrollwork 46 is secured to the railings by hammering or bending the C- shaped fasteners 48 around the railings. The fasteners tightly grip the railings and will not loosen accidentally. It will be seen in FIG. 1 that one scrollwork unit is fastened between each adjacent pair of railing support caps '24. The scrollwork '46 can :be of varying length-s selected to correspond to the spacing between the railing support caps 24.

From the above description it will be appreciated that the novel features of this invention cooperate to achieve a fence structure that is attractive and has increased the shape,--size .and arrangement of componentsmay be slipped over the fence post 12 and secured tightly thereto by means of fasteners 22. 1

Rail support caps 24 are seated upon the top of each fence-post 12 and turned so that the axes of the rail sleeves 37, 38 are aligned with the fence post line. Upper and lower horizontal railings 42 and 44 are passed through the rail sleeves and anchored at each corner post. Strips 45 are loopedv over the.lower railing-44 at spaced intervals; and strung through the top links of the fencing mtaerial 16 to tightly bind the fencing to the lower railing.

Lastly, scrollwork' units .46; are mounted between the upper and lower railings 42,;44 by means of C-clamps .48 which are bent around the railings,

The resulting fence structure is attractive and strong owners.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and describedis to be-takenasa preferred example of the same, and that various changes in resorted to without departing from the. spirit of the invention or the scope of the claim.

I claim:

A fence structure comprising; an aligned plurality of .vertical-fenceposts having theirlower ends embedded inthe ground; :chain link. fencing mesh extending along the line *of fence posts and fastened thereto, saidfencing -mesh vertically positioned from adjacent the ground to adjacentv the. upper ends ofsa-id fence posts; a plurality -of rail support caps seated upon said fence posts each saidrail support cap. having a lower seat portion and an upper vertical rail support .portion,,said rail support portionhaving an I-beam shaped mid-sectionand enlarged .top and bottom portions each having equal diameter cylindrical rail openings formed therein; two horizontal ,continuous equal diameter .tubular'railings positioned through the rail openings in said railsupport caps, the cylind-rical interior surfaces of said rail openingsdimensioned to provide asliding fi-t,and supportto said continuous rails; sections, of decorative scroll work disposed between .said continuous railings; and means for fastening said scrollwork to said railings.

ReferencesCited by the Examiner HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 

